Mining apparatus



Jan 11 1927 M. P. HOLMES MINING AFPARATUS Filed oct. 22, 1924 Y @am N ,wv m avrei 7S m. I

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Patented Jan. 1], 1927.

t htllt UNTED STATES PATENT QFFICE..

MORRIS P. HOLMES, OF (LLARIEHVIONT7 NEW HAMSHIRE, ASSIGNOR TO SULLIVAN MACHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

MINING APPARATUS.

Application filed October 22, 1924. Serial No. 745,252.

My invention relates to mining apparatus.

An obj ect of my invention is to provide an improved mining apparatus. A further obj ect of my invention is to provide an improved mining apparatus especially adapted to cut vertical downwardly disposed kerfs in the coal strata. A still further object of my invention is to provide an improved mining apparatus wherein a flexibly fed mining machine of the pivoted bar type, herein of standard form, may be supported on its side in an improved manner to operate in accordance with the strip or open pit system of mining machine. Still another object of my invention is to provide an improved mining apparatus adapted to operate in accordance with the strip or open pit method of mining wherein the machine may be supported in an improved manner and bodily adjusted relative to the support. Still another object of my invention is to provide an improved mining apparatus provided with a cutter bar swingable in a ver tical plane having improved supporting means upon which the machine is pivoted and bodily adjustable relative thereto. rlhese and other objects and advantages of my invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown for purposes of illustration one form which my invention may assume in practice.

1n these drawings,-

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a mining apparatus constructed in accordance with one illustrative embodiment of my invention, the machine and cutter bar being shownv in a plurality of positions.

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of Fig. 1, the view being partially in section to facilitate illustration.

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 1 through a portion of my improved adjusting means.

Fig. l is a vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially on line sl-AI of Fig. 1.

ln this illustrative form of my invention I have shown a mining machine, generally designated 1, herein of a standard flexibly fed longwall type, having a longitudinally extending frame 2 which is comprised of a motor section 3, a feed section Zl, and a cutting mechanism carrying section 5, the feed and cutter carrying sections being disposed at opposite ends of the motor section 3 and rigidly connected thereto in any suitable manner. The frame section 2 is disposed on its side 6 with its bottom plate Tdisposed in a vertical plane on a skid or support, generally designated 8. of improved form to be hereinafter described. The mining machine 1 is adapted to be fed relative to a flexible feeding member 9, herein in the form of a feed chain, having its outer 'end fixed to a stationary extraneous abutment, not shown, and its inner end suitably guided on the machine by sheaves or rolls 10 journaled on horizontal transversely extending axes on the feed frame section 4. A. feed operating member 11, herein in the form of a chain engaging sprocket, is rotatable on a transversely extending horizontal axis parallel to the axis of the rolls 10 and is adapted to draw in the feed chain 9 at a predetermined slow cutting speed and at a predetermined fast speed, the latter speed being utilized for hauling the machine about the mine surface and relative to a transport truck, not shown. It will herein be observed that the cutter bar 12 is pivoted on a transversely extending horizontal axis 13 parallel to the axis of the feed sprocket 11 and is provided with a cut ter bit carrying cutter chain 14 adapted to be circulated about the outer edge of the bar. The feed chain 9 is adapted to be extended beneath the machine and connected to a twopart pivoted hook 15, indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1 which is7 in turn, adapted-to engage a laterally extending abutment 15 formed integral with the cutter bar. When the feed chain is connected in such manner it is drawn in by the feed sprocket 11 at a slow orcutting speed, swinging the bar from the upper dotted line position in Fig. 1 downwardly into the coal strata, cutting a narrow vertical kerf and when the bar is disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the machine frame 2, it is rigidly locked thereto by means of a locking pin 16 adapted to register with one of` a plurality of horizontally disposed spaced openings'l formed in a circular flange 17 which is adapted to guide the cutter bar during its swinging movement. 1t will herein be noted that the feed sprocket 11 and the cutter chain 14 are adapted to be driven by the motor 3 through suitable power transmission connections, not shown,

in any approved manner, l he cutter bar may also be swung` downwardly into the coal strata by means or' the drag or the cutter bits and the weight of the bar.

As disclosed above, the mining machine l is adapted to be supported on its side on a skid 8 of improved form. In thisimproved construction it will be observed lthat a bottom plate 18 is provided'adapted to engage the surface otl the mine and having' curved lront and rear-'ends and 20, respectively, and slightly uptnrned curved side portions 2l, thereby ger-init the machine to slide vfreely on the surface oit the mine. rlhe side ot the mining machine has secured thereto a pair ot laterally spaced lonwitudinally extending parallel pl tes and Q3 by means .of screw.` 2l. A longitudinally extending angle member Q5 is provided to still more securely hold the machine in position and is secured to the vertically disposed'bottom plate '7 oit' the machine and the plate 22 by means ot screws ant` rivets `and 27, rcspect'vely. fr pair ot laterally spaced, lonlgitudinally extending, parallel angle members 2S and 29 are securet to the 'bottom plate 18 by me ns ot suitable rivets. rThe support S is suitably braced by ineans ojt a leng'itudinally extending plate 28 and long'itndinally spaced transverse plates 22V, these plates being' suitably riveted in posi'- tion, As illustrated, 'upsianding` laterally spaced bearing' blocks 3Q are suitably secured as by screws 3l to the angle member 29 and to a parallel angular member 32 -secured to the bottom plate 1S, and in these bearingl bloei-:s a transversely extending` horizontal shaft is carried located beneath lthe machine adjacent the center et gravity thereof. Spacing` plates 30 are interposed between the bearing` blocks 30 and the angle members QQ'and 32, respectively. Depending); bearing blocks are also secured to the plates 22 and 2S as by screws 35 and cooperate with tl' shatt A plurality oi transversely extending longitudinally spaced bracing members 36 are urther provided having` their il. vtte/ned ends secured, as by rivets 37,'to the Vtransverse bracing members 29, and these bracing members are provided with intermediate ilat cned portions 38 which engage the bottoni plate i8 and are =ed thereto by means ot rivets 3f). lt will herein be ob- 'served that a relatively short angle member reifroefi ed to engage a nut 48 secured, as by screws 4l; to a suitable hand wheel 50. rlhe hand wneel 50 is provided with a depending` flanged portion 5l .pivoted at 52 in a suitable bearing` 53 in the i''orm of a clamp. lt will also be 'noted 'that the bearing member 53 is provided with a laterally disposed circular flanged portion 54 pivotally mounted within semi-circular bearing plate members 55 secured, as by screws 56, to the bottom plate 'i' adjacent the upper forward end thereof'. The 'nut and the Ilower end of lheportion lorniedon'thehand wheel 50 have threaned thereto upwarc'lly and downwa lely extending` sleeves and 58, respectively, through which vthe'rod d'extends and which arev adapted to protect the threads et?. By suitable manipulation oft the hand lwheel 50 it will herein be noted 4that `the machine l may be swung bodily relative to the bottom plate i8 as indicated by trotted lines in Fig. l about the pivot 33, consequently varying the position oit' the bar and the depth vot' the cut.

As a result of my improvement it will herein be notedthat lf have provided a mining machineespecially adapted to operate in accordance with the strip or open pit7 method ot mining` having' in'iproved stable srpporting` means n means 'lor moving the machine relative to the supporting,` means for adjustingthe po- Lition ot' the cutter b'arconse'quently varying the dlpth ot' the cut. These and other advantages will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

lli'hile l have in this application specifically described one form which my inv-ention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form ot the same is shown vided with cutting elements arranged to cut a `hei-'tto admit said bar, and means to increase the cuttingv range oli Said'inachine in the plane of swinging movenient of said bar comprising an adjustable pivotal mounting fer said machine disposed beneath the latter on said skid.

2. ln a mining apparatus, a skid slidable on the mineY bottom, a mining' machine pro-- vided with an angularly adjustable elongated cutter har mounted Vfor swinging therefor and improvedv Cil movement in a vertical plane extending longitudinally ot said skid and between the sides of the latter, said cutter bar being provided with cutting elements arranged to cut a kert to admit` said bar, and means to increase the cutting range of said machine in the plane ot swinging movement ot said bar comprising a horizontal pivotal mounting for said machine disposed beneath the latter on said skid.

3. In a mining apparatus, a skid slidable on the mine bottom, a mining` machin-e provided with an angularly adjustable elongated cutter bar mounted for swinging movement in a vertical plane extending longitudinally of said skid and between the sides of the latter, said cutter bar being provided with cutting elements arranged to cut a kert to adn'iit said bar, and means to increase the cutting range of said machine in the plane of swinging movement of said bar comprising an adjustable pivotal mounting for said machine disposed beneath the latter adjacent the center oit gravity thereof and carried on said skid.

d. In a mining apparatus, a skid slidable on the mine bottom, a mining machine provided with an angularly adjustable elongated cutter bar mounted for swinging movement in a vertical plane extending longitudinally ot said skid and between the sides ot the latter, said'cutter bar being provided with cutting elements arranged to cut a kerito admit said bar, and means to 'icrease the cutting range of said machine in the plane of swinging movement of said bar comprising a horizontal vpivotal mounting for said machine disposed beneath the latter acent the center of gravity thereof and carried .directly on said skid.

5. ln a mining apparatus, a skid slidable on the mine bottom, a mining machine provided with an angularly adjustable elongated cutter bar mount-ed for swinging movement in a vertical plane extending longitudinally of said skid and between the sides ot the latter, said cutter bar being provided with cutting elements arranged to cut a kert to admit said bar, and means tor angularly adjusting said machine relative to said skid to increase the cutting range ot said machine in the plane ot swinging movement of said bar comprising a transverse horizontal pivotal mounting tor said machine disposed beneath the latter adja cent the center of gravity thereof.

6. ln a mining apparatus, a skid slidable on the mine bottom, a mining machine provided with an angularly 'adjustable elon gated cutter bar mounted for swinging movement in a vertical plane extending longitudinally of said skid and between the sides ot the latter, said cutter bar being provided with cutting elements arranged to cut a kerr to admit said bar, and means for angular-ly adjusting said machine relative to said skid to increase the cutting range ot said machine in the plane ot' swinging movement ot' said bar comprising a transverse horizontal pivotal mounting tor said machine disposed beneath the latter adjacent the center ot gravity thereof, and adjusting means for etecting adjustment ot said machine on said pivotal mounting.

7. In a mining apparatus, a skid slidable on the mine bottom, a mining machine pro vided with an angularly adjustable elon gated cutter bar mounted for swinging movement in a vertical plane extending longitudinally ot said skid and between the sides of the latter, said cutter bar being provided with cutting elements arranged to cut a kerf to admit said bar, and means for adjusting said machine relative to said skid to increase the cutting range ot said machine in the plane ot swinging movement ot said bar comprising a transverse horizontal pivotal mounting for said machine disposed beneath the latter, and adjusting means for eiecting adjustment of said machine on said pivotal mounting.

8. In a mining apparatus, a mining machine normally cutting' on its bottom and provided with an angularly adj ustabl-e elongated cutter bar provided with cutting elements arranged to cut a kert to admit said bar, means for operating said machine with its bottom in a vertical plane comprising a skid disposed beneath said machine on which the side of the latter rests, said cutter bar being swingable in arvertical plane extending longitudinally of said skid and between the sides of the latter, and means to incr-ease the cutting range of said machine in the plane ot swinging movement of said bar comprising an adjustable pivotal mounting for said machine disposed beneath the latter on said skid.

9. In a mining apparatus, a mining ma chine normally cutting' on its bottom and provided with an angularly adjustable elongated cutter bar provided with cutting elements arrangedto cut a kerfto admit said bar, means tor operating` said machine with its bottom in a vertical plane comprising a skid disposed beneath said machine on which the side of the latter rests, said cutter bar being swingable in a vertical plane extending longitudinally ot said skid and between the sides ot the latter. and means to increase the cutting range ot' said machine in the piane ot swinging movement ot said bar con'iprising a horizontal pivotal mounting for said machine disposed beneath the latter on said skid.

i0. In a mining apparatus, a mining machine normally cutting en its bottom and provided with an angularly adjustable elongated cutter bar provided with cutting elements arranged to cut a kert to admit said l liti bar, means tor operating` said machine with its bottom l.in a vertical. plane comprising a skid disposed beneath said machine on which the side of the latte rests, said cutter bar being swingable in a vertical plane extending longitudinally ot said skid and between the sides ot the latter', and means to increase the cutting range of said machine in the plane of swinging movement otsaid bar comprising a transverse horizontal pivotal mounting tor said machinedisposed beneath the latter on said skid.

11. In a mining apparatus, a mining machine normally cnttingon its bottom and provided with an angularly adjustable elongated cutter bar provided with cutting elements arranged to cut a kerf 'to admit said bar, means ttor operating said machine with its bottom in a vertical plane comprising a skid disposed beneath said machine on which the side oi' the `lat-ter rests, said cntter bar being swingable in a vertical plane extending longitudinally ol. said skid and between the sides of the latter, and means 'tor adjusting said machine angnlarly relative to @iid skid to increase the cutting range ot ,Mid machine in the plane of swinging` movement oi said bar including a transverse pivot disposed beneath said machine adjacent the renter oil gravity thereot.

12. ln a mining` apparatus, a mining machine normally cutting on its bottom and provided with an angular-ly adjustable elongated cutter bar provided with cutting elements arranged to cut a kert to admit said har, means 'for operating said machine with 1Vv bottom in a vertical plane comprising a skid disposed beneath said machine on ich the side ci the latter rests, said cutbar being swingable in a vertical plane -fnjending longitndinallyot said skid and between the sides of the latter, and means 'tor adjusting said machine angularly relative to said skid to increase the cutting range of said machine 4in the plane of swinging movement of said baryincluding a transverse pivot disposed beneath said machine adjacent the center ot gravity thereof, and adjusting means Jfor eiiecting adjustment ot said machine on said pivot.

13. ln a mining` apparatus, a mining machine normally 'cutting` on its bottom and provided with an angularly adjustable elongated cutter bar provided with cutting elements arranged to cnt a kerl' to adn At said bar, means tor operating rsaid machine with its bottom in a vertical plane comprising a skid disposed beneath said machine on which vthe side ot the latter rests, said cutter bar being swingable in a vertical plane extending longitudinally ot aid skid and between the es ot the latter, and means for adinn' said machine angularly relative to y d skid to increase the cutting range of said machine in the plane of swinging move- Lenteaament ot said bar including a transverse pivot disposed beneath said machine adjacent the center et gravity thereof, and adjusting means including a cooperating screw and nut tor eiiecting adjustment et said machine on said pivot.

14. ln a mining apparatus, a mining machine normally cutting on its bottoni and provided with an angularly adjustable elongated cutter bar provided with cutting elements arranged to cut a kert to admit said bar, means tor operating said machine with its bottom in a vertical plane comprising a skid disposedbeneath said machine on which the side oi the latter rests, said cutter bar being swingable in a vertical plane extending longitudinally oi said skid and between the sides o'tl the latter, and means tor adj sting said machine angularly relative to said skid to increase the cutting range of said lnachine in. the plane et swinging movement ot said bar including a transverse pivot disposed beneath said machine adjacent the center of gravity thereof, and adjusting means including a cooperating screw and nut connection pivotally connected respectively to said skid and machine.

15. In a mining apparatus, a mining machine provided with a cutter bar swingable in a vertical plane, a skid disposed beneath v said machine including a bottom plate, parallel plates to which the side ot said inachine is secured, and transverse bracing members :tor said bottom plate, and means :tor adjusting said machine angularly relative to said bott-oni plate including pivot elements carried by said parallel plates.

16. In a mining apparatus, a mining machine provided with a cutter bar swingable in a vertical plane, a skid disposed beneath said machine including a bottoni plate, parallel plates to which said machine is secured, and transverse bracing members for said bottoni plate, and means including a transverse pivot disposed beneath said machine t'or adjusting the latter angularly relative to said bottom plate.

17. ln a mining apparatus, a skid slidable on the mine bottom, a mining machine having an angularly adjustable elongated cutter bar mounted iter swinging movementY in a vertical plane extending*longitudinally of said skid and between the sides of the latter, said cutter bar being provided with cutting elements arranged to cut a kert to admit said bar, and means for angularly adjusting said machine relative to said skid to increase the cutting range oiE saidmachine in the plane oie. swinging movement of said bar comprising a horizontal pivotal axis lying outside the body of' said machine in a straight line which entends between the machine body and said skid without intersecting the former.

18. In a mining apparatus, a skid slidable on the mine bottom, a mining machine having an angularly adjustable elongated cutter bar mounted for swinging movement in a vertical plane extending longitudinally oi. said skid and between the sides of the latter, said cutter bar being provided with cutting elements arranged to cut a kerf to admit said bar, and means for angularly adjusting said machine relative to said skid to increase the cutting range of said machine in the plane of swinging movement or said bar comprising a horizontal pivotal axis lying outside the body of said machine between the latter and said skid, said horizontal pivotal connection including a shaft eX- tending transversely of' said skid, and sup porting means for said shaft disposed at opposite sides of said machine.

19. In a mining apparatus, a mining ma chine having an angularly adjustable elongated cutter bar mounted for swinging movement in a vertical plane provided with cutting elements arranged to cut a kerf to admit said bar, a skid, said cutter bar swinging in a plane extending longitudinally of said skid and between the sides of the latter, a pivotal support for said machine on said skid beneath said machine, means for moving said machine upon said pivotal support reacting on said skid at a point spaced from the point of support thereon of said pivotal support, and bracing means for said skid for stiftening the same against bending between said points.

20. In a mining apparatus, a mining machine having an angularly adjustable elongated cutter bar mounted for swinging movement in a vertical plane and provided with cutting elements arranged to cut a kerf to admit said bar, a skid, said cutter bar being movable in a plane extending longit-udinallyl ot' said skid and between the sides of the latter, a pivotal support for said machine on said skid adjacent one end of the latter and beneath said machine, means for moving said machine upon said pivotal support reacting on said skid at a point adjacent the other end thereof, and bracing means for said skid for stiffeniug the same.

against bending longitudinally.

2l. In a mining apparatus, a mining machine provided with a cutter bar swingable in a vertical plane, a skid disposed beneath said machine including a bottom plate, parallel plates to which said machine is secured, transverse bracing members for said bottom plate, longitudinally extending bracing members for said bottom plate secured to said transverse members, and means including a transverse pivot disposed beneath said machine for adjusting the latter angularly relative to said bottom plate.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature.

MORRIS P. HOLMES. 

